From the Arctic Circle to Persian Roots: A Story of Solidarity, Identity and Building a Shared Home – An Interview with Ali Mobli

Amid the cool winds of the North Atlantic and Iceland’s peaceful landscapes, a vibrant Iranian community has built a life far from its homeland. Though thousands of kilometres separate them from their birthplace, they remain deeply committed to preserving their cultural roots and creating a better future.

The Iranian Association in Iceland carries a meaningful motto: “A Bridge Between Iran and Iceland.” But how did this bridge evolve from an idea into reality? To explore the story behind the association’s establishment, its mission and its vision for the future, we spoke with Ali Mobli, one of the founders of this initiative.

The Birth of a Dream in the Cold of March

Every lasting initiative begins with the courage to take the first step. The idea of establishing a formal organisation emerged from shared discussions and concerns among Iranians who recognised the need for a collective and independent community platform.

Ali Mobli recalls how the journey began:

“The initial idea gained momentum through the efforts of Mr Fartoumi, who raised the importance of establishing such an association with a group of friends on several occasions. When we realised that the conditions were right to take action, we joined forces to turn the idea into something tangible.

Our first formal meeting took place in March. We drafted the constitution, established the board of directors, and submitted the required documents to Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Íslands), setting the formal registration process in motion.

Our goal was clear from the beginning: to build a two-way bridge – one that would introduce Icelandic society to Iranian culture, literature and values, while also creating a safe and supportive environment for our fellow Iranians to grow and thrive in their new home.”

A Bridge for Everyday Life: From the Mother Tongue to the Driving Test

For the association’s founders, civic engagement is not merely an abstract concept. It is about addressing the practical needs people face in everyday life – from second-generation children who deserve the opportunity to learn their mother tongue to newcomers navigating administrative, social and legal challenges.

Emphasising these priorities, Mobli explains:

“Being a bridge means empowering our community. We have worked towards organising Persian-language classes for our children so that their connection with their mother tongue is not lost.

At the same time, we are pursuing contacts and discussions to explore the possibility of offering driving theory tests in Persian at the Frumherji testing centre. We believe that understanding the rules and developing the necessary skills are essential to personal independence in this country.

Alongside these efforts, the association’s trilingual website, available in Persian, Icelandic and English, was developed through the dedication and hard work of Mr Ali Soleimani. It serves as a transparent window through which community members can learn about their rights, benefits and important news, while Icelandic residents can discover the valuable contributions and potential of our community.”

Moving Beyond Division: The Dream of Unity Under One Roof

Collective initiatives within diaspora communities do not always follow an easy path. One of the challenges facing the Iranian community in Iceland has been the simultaneous registration of different organisations and the divisions that emerged as a result, affecting some of the community’s collective energy and potential.

Mobli approaches this challenge with a conciliatory and hopeful perspective:

“I cannot deny that parallel initiatives and simultaneous registrations created obstacles to full unity and led to some hurt feelings. But our focus is on the future, not the past. We remain open-hearted and committed to dialogue, integration and greater cooperation.

Our dream is to bring people with different perspectives together under one umbrella: an association built on the broadest possible participation, one that can proudly represent Iran at major social and cultural events in Iceland and make the challenges of migration easier for every Iranian living on this island.”

Let Us Be a Source of Healing, Not Pain: A Message Rooted in History and Culture

The final part of Ali Mobli’s message is addressed to all Iranians experiencing life far from their homeland. It is an invitation to reconnect with their cultural roots, embrace solidarity and move beyond divisions.

He concludes:

“The pressures, injustices and hardships of recent years have unfortunately created distance and separation among us. But if we want our tired souls to find peace and the burden of living far from home to become lighter, we must remember the land and culture from which we come.

We are the descendants of a civilisation that offered the world a vision of justice through Cyrus the Great and his legacy associated with human rights; a civilisation shaped by timeless love stories such as Shirin and Farhad, and by the humanistic wisdom of Hafez, Saadi and Rumi.

Throughout the centuries, Iranians have been known for healing wounds, not adding salt to them. If we remember this precious part of our heritage, no division can last forever. Even on this distant island, standing side by side, we can reach new heights of solidarity and shared achievement.”

About This Interview

This interview explores the establishment of the Iranian Association in Iceland, its cultural and social objectives, and the founders’ vision for the future of the Iranian community in Iceland – a vision built on preserving cultural identity, encouraging civic participation and strengthening solidarity.

Author: News and Media Department, Iranian Association in Iceland

Date: 25 October 2026